Requirements & Courses

Thirty-six credits which must include:

1. Core Courses (28 cr): CHM-115, 223, 224, 230, 320, 331, and 332

2. Select Area of Concentration:

• Chemistry: eight credits from CHM-251, 300 or 400 level courses, BCM-321 or 422. At least four credits must be at or above the 300 level.
• American Chemical Society Certified Degree: CHM-313 and 314; BCM-321; and four credits chosen from CHM-399, 411, 499, or BCM-422 (must include 150 lab hours).
• Pre-Medicine: BCM-321 and four credits from 300 or 400 level courses in Chemistry (see Program Considerations below); The American Chemical Society Certified Degree is also available with the pre-medicine concentration.

3.  Successful completion of CHM-450.

Cognate Courses Required for All Chemistry Majors:

1. MTH-121 and MTH-122

2. PHY-121 and PHY-122; or PHY-112 and PHY-113

• Potential majors are advised to schedule MTH-121 and 122 and PHY-121 and 122 (or PHY-112 and 113) in the freshman and sophomore years so they may enroll in CHM-331 and 332 in the junior year.

• Completion of an independent research project normally culminating in a senior thesis is recommended. Students bound for graduate school should make careful course selections to support their particular area of emphasis; participation in research, completion of CHM-313, 314 and 411, MTH-210 and 211 should be considered.

• Experience with calculus based physics (PHY- 121 and 122) is preferred over PHY-112 and 113.

• The Chemistry department strongly recommends, in order to be a competitive medical school applicant, students completing a Chemistry major also take genetics and physiology, in addition to considering upper level electives from Biology, Biochemistry or Integrated Physiology and Health Science.

• In addition, students who plan to take the MCAT at the end of the junior year are encouraged to take CHM-115 in the fall of their first year so that BCM-321 can be completed in advance of taking the MCAT (CHM-115, 223, 224, 230 and BIO-121 are prerequisites to BCM-321).

Students may achieve honors in Chemistry by:

1. Earning a 3.5 GPA in all chemistry classes.
2. Performing at a superior level in departmental Senior Seminar.
3. Preparing and presenting a senior thesis of honors caliber. See the Department chair for details on how to fulfill the thesis requirements.

Twenty-four credits which must include: Eight credits numbered 300 or above (BCM-321 and 422 may also be applied toward this minor)

Completion of the requirements for the Chemistry major.

Twenty-four credits which must include:

1. CHM-115, 223, 224, 230 and BCM-321

2. Four credits from CHM-320, 331 or 332

American Chemical Society Certified Degree Completion of CHM-115, 223, 224, 230, 313, 314, 320, 331, 332, 450, BCM-321 and four credits chosen from CHM-399, 411, 499, or BCM-422. Completion of 400 hours of laboratory work beyond CHM-115 is required. If independent study is used to satisfy the ACS-certified degree requirements, a written research report is required. Students must consult with the Chemistry chair prior to their junior year for approval of their program.